Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Mamidana Jagannadha Rao, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Renowned for his distinguished career in the judiciary, Justice Rao left a significant legacy in the legal community.
Justice Rao was born on December 2, 1935, into a family deeply rooted in the legal profession. His father served as a judge at the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and his paternal uncle, Justice M Krishna Rao, also held a position at the same court. Continuing the family tradition, his son, Justice MS Ramachandra Rao, is currently the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
Justice Rao’s legal career began after he enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Hyderabad on July 25, 1960. He ascended to the bench as an Additional Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on September 29, 1982, and was confirmed as a permanent Judge just two months later. His judicial acumen led him to the role of Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on August 8, 1991.
In a significant move in his career, Justice Rao was transferred to the Delhi High Court on April 12, 1994, where he served as the Chief Justice until 1997. His exemplary service at the Delhi High Court culminated in his appointment to the Supreme Court on March 21, 1997. Justice Rao retired from the Supreme Court on December 1, 2000, marking the end of an illustrious judicial tenure.
Justice Rao’s contributions to Indian jurisprudence are remembered by his peers and successors in the legal community as pivotal to the shaping of contemporary legal practices in India. His legacy continues to influence new generations of lawyers and judges.
